Can you put a Mattress in a Skip?

It may be possible to put used mattresses in a skip, though it may be subject to special rules or restrictions depending on the skip hire company. You should check with your skip hire provider before loading mattresses into your skip. In most cases, disposing of old mattresses will incur an extra cost on top of the skip hire, which can be up to £50 per mattress.

How to Dispose of a Mattress

If your skip hire company does not allow mattresses in their skips or charges too much, you need some options for mattress disposal. It is important to dispose of a mattress in a legal and responsible manner. We have compiled a list of options on how to dispose of a mattress.

Sell Your Mattress

If your old mattress is not soiled and is in a sellable condition, many people will take it off your hands and give you some cash for it. Your mattress can be sold on multiple selling sites; list the item and select collection only.

Selling an old mattress can be the most cost-effective method of disposal. You will find landlords looking for second-hand mattresses for their rental properties, students, or people who cannot afford a brand-new mattress. Selling the mattress means you dispose of your old mattress and make some money—a win-win situation.

Give it Away

Giving away your mattress is another way to dispose of it. Use the same methodology as selling a mattress, but list it as £0 on selling sites. Set the title as "Mattress for free" to attract more attention. Freecycle is another great website where people give away items they no longer need; list the mattress there, and people will approach you to collect it.

You will be disposing of the mattress, helping the environment (by not taking it to the tip), and giving it to someone who needs it.

Donate to a Charity Shop

Donating the mattress to charity is another great option; you dispose of the mattress and help out a great cause. Some charities will even come and collect the mattress donations from you. Below is a list of charities that will collect your mattress free of charge:

• British Heart Foundation

• British Red Cross

• Emmaus

Other charity shops may take your old mattress; however, you may need to drop it off at the charity directly (you will need a vehicle large enough to hold the mattress). We advise calling the shop to see if they accept mattress donations, as some may only accept mattresses with the fire safety label still attached. As with all items given to charity shops, certain criteria must be met, so please check with them first.

Take it to a Recycling Centre

Taking the old mattress to a local recycling centre is another great option. Here, the mattress will be broken down into its recyclable components (metal springs and synthetic layers) and recycled. You can find your nearest recycling centre by visiting your local council’s gov.uk website. You will need a mode of transport or a car big enough to take the mattress to the recycling centre. Taking your mattress to the recycling centre is good for you and helps prevent mattresses from ending up in landfill sites.

Ask Your Local Council to Collect the Mattress

If you are a householder, local councils offer to collect the old mattress. This service is known as a bulky waste collection. Most councils offer this service, but some councils charge, and prices can vary by location. You can request a council collection by clicking here.

Private Waste Collection

You can arrange for a private mattress collection service. This will obviously be more expensive than having the council collect the mattress, but in most cases, it will be faster. These companies will collect the used mattress and take it to a mattress recycling centre.

Please make sure when booking a mattress disposal service that they are licensed to do so. Ensuring they have a license means the mattress will be disposed of correctly, preventing fly-tipping.

Have the Retailer Take the Old One

One convenient option if you have bought a new bed is to have the retailer take the unwanted mattress away when they deliver the replacement mattress. Most retailers include this service when they deliver the new mattress. Some offer the service free of charge, while others may request a fee, so it’s best to check with them before ordering.

Summary

Check with your skip hire company if they accept mattresses. If they charge extra, find out how much. If disposing of a mattress in a skip seems inappropriate, consider the following options:

• Sell it

• Give it away

• Donate it to charity

• Take it to a recycling centre

• Have the council collect it

• Have a retailer take it away

Following these steps will mean you won't be stressed when disposing of your old mattress. You’ll have a good night's sleep knowing mattress disposal can be a dream.